Career networking has never been more visible than now. Gone are the days when you would update a paper resume when it was time to find a new job. Today's professionals are always looking for opportunities to boost their career and industry credibility and a lot of that happens online.

Professional networking site LinkedIn boasts 128 million U.S. members, including executives from all Fortune 500 companies. LinkedIn is available in 200 countries - making it a global platform for professionals to list their qualifications and network with others in their fields.

Research done by the network found that professionals with a head shot saw 14 times more views of their profiles. Simply adding a photo to a LinkedIn profile increased the chance of receiving a message from another member by 36 times.

While LinkedIn is certainly not the only place professionals can tout their skills online, it's a pretty influential one. These statistics on how a simple visual can increase visibility and credibility are reflective of a larger piece of human nature: People connect with visuals more than text alone.

Having a professional head shot is SO important to being taken seriously in your field - and to people connecting with you before they even meet you.

Whether you are looking for a new job, or just trying to build your personal brand, you should have a professional head shot. Here are some things to remember about them:

• Professional head shots should showcase your personality but in a refined way. It's okay to be happy or even quirky. Save the silly faces for the outtakes - but it's okay to smile (both with your lips and your eyes).
• Professional head shots should take advantage of lighting techniques that emphasize your strong points. A well-lit, clear face will resonate more strongly with a stranger than one that is hard to see.
• Professional head shots should be edited. Your photographer should be able to edit the photo to be as visually engaging as possible.

I really love helping people follow their own dreams. A stunning professional head shot is a necessary tool to stay ahead, or get ahead, in any field. Let me help you make yours shine!